WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today applauded the final Senate passage of legislation to fund the government and provide critical investments in the areas of defense, education, health, human services and labor. The final measure included Isakson’s amendments to fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System and to address dangerous lead levels on military bases.

Today’s legislation, H.R.6157, also provides short-term funding through Dec. 7 for the additional facets of the federal government that were not funded in H.R.6157 and the appropriations package that was passed last week, H.R.5895. Work continues on the remaining annual appropriations bills, including the four-bill package approved by the Senate on Aug. 1 to fund agencies including the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, and Interior.

“Today’s legislation is another step toward completion of the work the Senate began in August to help ensure on-time funding of programs that help more hardworking Georgians and their families succeed,” said Isakson. “It continues to modernize our military to protect our national security against emerging threats and provides our military families additional support they need. I’m also glad we’re making wise investments in Americans’ futures that will save lives and improve education and training for workers as we adapt for changing medical and workplace conditions.”

Highlights of additional Isakson-supported provisions included in the agreement are below.

Defense
The measure maintains increased defense funding for our military assets in Georgia, including the full funding of the largest pay raise for our troops in nearly a decade. The measure includes an increase of $19.6 billion above the previous year. It ensures that the members of our all-volunteer service receive the training, resources and equipment necessary while helping grow personnel strength in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

Cyber Research
The measure provides $305.7 million for items not requested in the president’s budget, including $127 million for Army cybersecurity research efforts, such as those at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga.

Israeli Missile Defense
The measure provides $500 million for Israeli missile defense programs, in keeping with our commitments to our ally, Israel.

Lead Poisoning in Military Housing
Following reports about lead poisonings and dangerous lead levels in housing on U.S. Army installations including Fort Benning in Georgia, potentially endangering military families, Isakson filed a bipartisan amendment that was adopted to require the Government Accountability Office to report on the monitoring and remediation of lead and verifiable compliance with lead exposure limits in military housing. Isakson’s amendment was included in the final legislation along with another amendment he cosponsored to require that children who reside on military installations undergo blood testing for lead during both their 12- and 24-month wellness checks.

Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The measure provides $8 billion for the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an increase of $125 million in funding over the previous fiscal year.

Children’s Hospital Graduate Medical Education Program
The measure provides $325 million for Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program, which Isakson championed in the Senate’s recent reauthorization of the program. The Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program would ensure that children’s hospitals have the support they need to provide adequate medical education for training of pediatricians and other residents. Reauthorization of the program passed the Senate on Sept. 5.

National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System
The measure includes an amendment introduced by Isakson and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., to include $5 million in funding for the surveillance system. The plan for the system was developed to help advance research on neurological diseases and was previously included in the 21^st Century Cures Act, H.R.34, which Isakson championed in the Senate and became law in 2016.

Opioid Epidemic
The measure provides $3.8 billion for opioid addiction treatment, prevention and recovery programs related to the opioid epidemic harming families in Georgia and across America. This $206 million increase in funding from the previous fiscal year is the fourth funding increase in a row. It also funds State Opioid Response Grants at $1.5 billion to allow states to create action plans that meet the needs of their states.

It provides $500 million to the National Institutes of Health for researching opioid addiction, development of opioid alternatives, pain management and addiction treatment.

Education and Workforce
Elementary and Secondary Education
The measure increases funding for Department of Education grants to improve elementary and secondary education, as well as increases funding for charter schools, student support and enrichment services, school violence prevention and evidence-based science, technology, engineering and math education programs. The measure also includes $13.5 billion for special education programs.

Apprenticeships and Training
The measure provides funding for training and employment services, including $160 million for apprenticeship programs. It provides additional resources to states and the Governor’s Statewide Reserve to address training needs.

Veterans Employment Training Programs
The measure provides $300 million for Veterans Employment Training Programs, which includes intensive employment services to veterans and eligible spouses, transitioning service members and disabled veterans. The funding is an increase of $5 million from the previous fiscal year and will provide for a pilot program to facilitate veterans’ apprenticeship opportunities.

Related:
Isakson Applauds Passage of Military, Health, Education Funding Measures
Isakson Applauds Senate Passage of ‘Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018’

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